NCSF Chimes in to Protest Dr. Laura

DR. LAURA: BRINGING HATE INTO YOUR LIVING ROOM

The notoriously homophobic Laura Schlessinger has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Paramount Domestic Television to develop a syndicated daytime television show. "Dr. Laura" is the single most listened-to radio personality in the country. She is known for promoting her right-wing political and social values to her listeners, and has said that she would "take on the gay and lesbian activists because I've had enough of you". She recently called gays and lesbians "biological errors" on her radio show, portrays gay men as child molesters, and promotes stereotypical gender roles.

Using the radio and television airwaves as a vehicle of hate promotes discrimination, and often leads to violence. The new intensity of Schlessinger's campaign appears to be tied to her promotion of opinions and materials from politically driven groups such as the Family Research Council (FRC). This group's agenda calls homosexuality "lethal and immoral behavior." Schlessinger refers her listeners to FRC for "factual information and intelligent points of view" and even distributes FRC literature from her office. This kind of endorsement/referral both builds credibility for FRC in the minds of Schlessinger's audience and sends her listeners to an organization whose rhetoric is even more defamatory than her own.

NCSF has met with GLAAD officials concerning Dr. Laura and are working together in regard to this matter. In the most ironic twist of perspective, Schlessinger now insists that GLAAD and any other group contrary to her point of view are trying to silence her. That is not, nor has it ever been, GLAAD's nor NCSF’s intent. We are not in the business of trying to shut down opposing points of view; the mission of advocacy organizations is to promote fair, accurate and inclusive media representations. Despite GLAAD’s numerous efforts to work with Schlessinger on acknowledging opposing points of view, Schlessinger has continued to promote exclusively erroneous and pessimistic portraits of the LGBT community.

NCSF asks Paramount to do the right thing by dropping "Dr. Laura's" television show. Write to or call Paramount Television and let them know that their support of "Dr. Laura" and her rhetoric is inexcusable.

Kerry McCluggage - Chairman
Paramount Television Group
- Telephone (323) 956-5076
5555 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038
mail: kerry_mccluggage@paramount.com

Frank Kelly - Co-President
Paramount Television Group
- Telephone (323.) 956.5000
- dial 1, * (star), then spell "KellyFrank" to be connected
5555 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038
mail: television@pde.paramount.com

Contribute to G/L Issues

to help with our expenses